We have been back home for a couple of weeks, trying to get settled in and have had time to reflect and ponder. Its difficult to write a review after so long but here are some bullets about the whole deal.
1. Would we do it again - Definitely, we are thinking of a different route next time, perhaps China, Pacific Islands, South America, Africa
2. Where did we like best - Difficult, this is how I can best put it
#Rajahstan in India was fantastic, the places we visited were great but the historic train made it so easy. It might be harder driving around.
#Preferred Aus to NZ
#Liked E coast Aus better than W coast Aus, really enjoyed the run up the coast and swimming on the Gt Barrier
#Melbourne more than Sydney
#Uluru, Ayers Rock overrated
#There is no wild life in Australia
#Kiwis don't exist
#Pacific islands are nicer than Carribbean
#Take less clothes & more money
3. Would you do things differently next time. - If we went the same countries, we would go to Kerula in India, more far east countries, miss out W Aus, make sure you are in NZ S Island when the weather is good, tour whole NZ in one go.
4. Hotels - pre-booking first nights stay on arrival and then booking as we went worked well, no real problems. Look for deals direct with hotels, I got some better deals than were available with agents on Internet.
5. Tripadvisor was good but read between lines and who is writing - what is good for a teenage backpacker may not be good fro a silver surfer.
6. Car Hire - watch out for the rip off insurance coverage provided by hire companies to get rid of excesses. You can get it for one third the cost with reputable insurers, book before you hire.
Hope you found this enjoyable/useful - I certainly enjoyed writing it. If you want any advice Email me on wally_spooner@blueyonder.co.uk
Tuesday, June 24
Sunday, June 1
USA: Orlando Florida
Well, we are here in the villa in Florida and our lifestyle has changed. We are no longer traipsing about, instead lying in bed 'till 10:00, swimming in the pool, lounging around, going to parties and catching up with our US pals. Well, someone has to do it! The flight from San Diego was pretty good with South West, leaving on time and arriving early at MCO. We flew over Texas, which at the time was experiencing some Tornado activity. I don't know if this disturbed the air at altitude, but even flying at 39,000 was pretty bumpy at times - you know the sudden little drops that make you grab the arm rest and squeal like a girl. Great aerial sunset.
The zoo in San Diego was pretty cool, we learnt that gorillas like to eat their own shit. That big silver back was relaxing in the sun doing just that, straight ATM. The polar bear in the picture was huge, probably 10 foot tall and quite a showman, he dived in to the pool and commenced to play in the water, savaging some canvas sacks and stuffing them into a little underwater cave, then blowing air bubbles into the cave and retrieving them from the top to play with them again. He came out of the pool to have a pee, there's training for you that some adults could do with, went over to a sandspot, peed and dug it over like a domestic cat.
The wildlife is pretty active here at the villa - the 'gator has been patrolling back and forth across the lake and growling at night when the Disney fireworks show starts, I guess he is a bit lonesome being the only one in the lake. The birds are in action
also, the grackles and mocking birds all have their young and are busy showing them how to get a square meal. Unfortunatly so ar the raptors. A hawk came down, caught one of the young mocking birds and set about eating it in the tree near the pool. Not for long, - the grackles are so aggressive and mobbed the hawk in the tree, until it took off and then chased it, pecking at it in flight until it had left the lake area.
The zoo in San Diego was pretty cool, we learnt that gorillas like to eat their own shit. That big silver back was relaxing in the sun doing just that, straight ATM. The polar bear in the picture was huge, probably 10 foot tall and quite a showman, he dived in to the pool and commenced to play in the water, savaging some canvas sacks and stuffing them into a little underwater cave, then blowing air bubbles into the cave and retrieving them from the top to play with them again. He came out of the pool to have a pee, there's training for you that some adults could do with, went over to a sandspot, peed and dug it over like a domestic cat.
The wildlife is pretty active here at the villa - the 'gator has been patrolling back and forth across the lake and growling at night when the Disney fireworks show starts, I guess he is a bit lonesome being the only one in the lake. The birds are in action
also, the grackles and mocking birds all have their young and are busy showing them how to get a square meal. Unfortunatly so ar the raptors. A hawk came down, caught one of the young mocking birds and set about eating it in the tree near the pool. Not for long, - the grackles are so aggressive and mobbed the hawk in the tree, until it took off and then chased it, pecking at it in flight until it had left the lake area. Went to Phil's 60th at the Gaylord Palms, very very nice. It is as the Yanks would say, an 
upscale buffet with food on mediterranean themes set in an "open air" restauarant in the enclosed atrium of the gaylord. The Gaylord is some place - under the atrium it has a swamp, complete with alligators and big catfish - a lagoon complete with dock, ship, fishing pier and more fish - a pirates castle with treasure - Neptunes grotto and nice planted 
gardens, plus all the usual swimming pools, spas, shops restaurants etc etc
Played some golf - rubbish after the long lay off, but did manage to win a Srixon hat off the nice lady promoting junior golf at the 5th. This round was golf with food thrown in dogs at the 9th, beer and lunch when we finished - all for $38. Getting ready for the flight back to blighty and end of the World Trip
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